Printing-meter.



l. HALL.

PRINTING METER.

APPLICATION FILED MAH. 3. 1911.

Patented Dov. 1;, 191 3.

3 SHEETS'SHEET 2.

I HALL.

PRINTING METER.

APILICMION FILED MAR. 3. 1911.

Patented M012, 1916.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3 Miami/8336 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER I. HALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

CHICAGO ELECTRIC METER COMPANY, OF

ILLINOIS.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF PRINTING-METER.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHESTER I. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Meters, of which the following is a. full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved construction of recording mechanism by which the operation of any mechanism having cyclic operation may be integrated during desired intervals and recorded at the end of such intervals, the recording operation serving also to reset the recording mechanism so that each record will indicate only the integration of the operation for the period terminated by the recording operation. In the particular embodiment of my invention shown herein, I have illustrated the recording mechanism as printing devices adapted to be advanced to represent the added or tot-a1 actuation of an electric watt meter during intervals determined by time-controlled mechanism, as a result of which a record is made at the end of each interval of the amount of actuation of the watt meter and the printing devices are re-set to zero automatically by the printing operation, as a result of which each record thus printed indicates the total number of watt hours or some quantity proportional thereto as integrated by the watt meter. It will be understood, however, that instead of controlling the intervals between recording operations by means of a time-controlled mechanism, the intervals may be determined arbitrarily by an operator, if desired, since as shown in the present embodiment of my invention the closure of an electric circuit serves to cause the printing operation, and this may be effected either manually or by time-controlled devices as clockwork, as desired. By my invention I also provide devices for indicating the number of the record in connection with each record made in order that each record may be positively identified at a subsequent time. Means are also provided for operating suitable record strips and impression strips so that they will cooperate with the printing wheels in a manner to be described.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 3, 1911.

upon the (rod 14.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916. Serial No. 612,053.

ing removed to more clearly show the relation of the parts. Fig. 2 is a top view of the internal mechanism of the recording apparatus, the case and cover being shown in transverse section. Fig. 3 is a detailed-view of some of the parts-shown in Fig. 2, taken along the line 3+3. Fig. 4 is a sectional view through one of the shafts shown in Fig. 3, taken along the line Fig. 5 is a. diagrammatic view of the circuit connections employed in connection with my recording mechanism.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the. several views.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a solenoid 1 is secured to the base 2 of the instrument and is provided with a reciprocable core 3, to which is pivoted. at 4 a spring pawl 5. A spring 6, which maintains the pawl 5 in engagement with the ratchet wheel 7, also serves to maintain the core 3 in the position indicated in Fig. l, energization of the solenoid serving to move the core to the left to advance the ratchet wheel 7 one step around to the right, in which position such ratchet wheel is held by means of the retaining pawl 8. The ratchet wheel 7 is rigidly secured to the shaft 9 which also has rigidly connected thereto contact controlling disks 10 and 11 and a gear 12 meshing with the units printing wheel 13. The printing wheel 13 is rotatably mounted upon a rod 14 secured .to the lower ends of the arms 15 and16 pivotally mounted upon the shaft 24. The units printing wheel 13 is adapted by means of a suitable carry-over wheel 18 to advance the tens printing wheel 19, which in turn for each of its rotations serves by means of the carry-over wheel 20 to advance the hundreds printing wheel 21, all of such printing wheels being rotatably mounted Each of the printing wheels is provided with a gear 22 meshing with a gear 23; the latter gears being rotagears being rotatably mounted upon a sleeve 11.

26, which in turn is rotatably supported upon the shaft 24. The gears 23 are thus held in frictional engagement with the sleeve 26, so that when such sleeve is rotated by means of the pinion 27 the gears 23 will be rotated and thus drive the printing wheels 13, 19 and 21, unless rotation of such wheels is prevented.

The shaft 24 has rigidly secured to its ends the arms 15 and 16, the arm 15 being extended to the left to engage the upper surface of a ratchet wheel 28, the relation of the parts being such that when the arm 15 rests upon the fiat of one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 28 in the position indicated in Fig. 3, the printing wheels 13, 19 and 21 are held in proper engagement with the carryover wheels 18 and 20 and with the driving gear 12, which condition is maintained by means of a spring 29. \Vhen, however, the ratchet wheel 28 is rotated so as to bring the point of one of its teeth under the end of the arm 15, the arms 15 and 16 are rotated around to the right with the shaft 24, and thus move the printing wheels 13, 19 and 21 out of engagement with the carry-over wheels 18 and 20 and the driving gear 12, for which position the printing wheels may be reset as follows: The pinion 27 meshes with a gear 30, to which is secured a .pinion 31, the two being rotatably mounted upon a stud 32. The pinion 31 meshes with a gear 33 secured to the ratchet wheel 28. The ratchet wheel 28 is engaged by a spring pawl 34 pivoted at 35 to an operating lever 36. The lever 36 is pivoted at 37 to the framework of the instrument and is connected, as indicated in Fig. 1, at 38 by means of a suitable pin with the core or plunger 39 of the solenoid 40', which serves when desired to make a record of the amount registered by the printing wheels. The right-hand end of the lever 36 is extended to engage a returning spring 41, by means of which the core or plunger 39 and the lever 36 and parts carried thereby are held in the position indicated in the drawings. As a result of the construction described, it will be observed that when the solenoid 40 is energized the plunger 39 is moved upward serving in a manner to be described to print a record of the reading of the printing wheels, and at the same time the lever 36 is rotated around to the left so that the pawl 34 engages the next tooth upon the ratchet wheel 28. Upon the circuit through the solenoid 40 being interrupted, the spring 41 serves to return the lever 36.to its initial position and'also to drive the multiplying train above described between the ratchet wheel 28 and the gears 23 and thus the printing wheels 13, 19 and 21 are rotated until they reach their zero p0sition, in which position they are retained by 7 suitable spring pawls engaging notches therefor in the printing wheels. The pawls 42 are so related to the printing wheels as to permit their operation under the action of the driving gear 12 regardless of the amount of such actuation, and the pawls are so proportioned as to remain in engagement with the printing wheels when the latter are moved to the left as described to permit a re-setting operation.

A supply roll 43 of paper upon which the records may be made is mounted in the cas ing 2 upon a spindle 44, and from such roll the strip extends over guide rollers 45 and 46 to a receiving spool 47 mounted upon a spindle 48 which carries a gear 49. The gear 49 meshes with a gear 50, which in turn meshes with the gear 33 carried by the shaft 52 to which the ratchet wheel 28 and the gear 33 are secured. The gear is supported by a stud 53 from the casing 2 of the instrument. An impression is made upon the record strip .54 by means of carbon ribbon 55 which is fed from the supply roll 56 mounted upon a spindle 57 between the printing wheels and the record strip 54 and around the guide rolls 58 and 59 to a receiving spool 60 mounted upon a spindle 61 to which is secured a gear 62. The gear 62 meshes with a pinion 63 carried by the shaft 52.v The upper end of the plunger 39 carries a platen 64 adapted to engage the printing faces of all of the printing wheels when moved to its upper position, as a result of which energization of the solenoid 40 serves to forcibly press the record strip 54 and carbon strip 55 against the type wheels as a result of which an impression is made upon the record strip of the reading of the printing wheels. It will be observed that each return stroke of the plunger 39 not only returns the printing wheels to zero, but also advances the record strip 54 an amount corresponding to the space occupied by one record, as a result of the operation of the gears 49, 50 and 33, and also by means of the gears 62 and 63, at'the same time advances the carbon strip 55 a sufficient amount so that all of the records produced are perfectly legible.

The shaft 52 has secured to its outer end a disk 65, from which project a plurality of pins 66. These pins serve by their engagement with a star-wheel 67 mounted upon a shaft 68 to rotate a pinion 69 secured to such shaft as the shaft 52 is rotated by the pawl 34. The pinion 69 meshes with a gear 70 secured to a printing wheel 71 by means of a detent wheel 72 located between such printing wheel and the gear. The parts thus secured together are secured to a shaft 73 which at its" outer end carries a pointer 74 adapted to indicate upon a suitable index 75 the number on the printing Wheel 71 which is in line with the printing position of the printing wheels 13, 19 and 21. The

mechanism just described serves at each operation of the solenoid 40 to advance the printing wheel 71 and the pointer 74 one step, as a result of which the printing wheel 71 prints upon each record made the number of the record, while the pointer 74 indicates at all times the number of the record next to be made. A spring pawl 76 pivoted to the casing at 77 engages the detent wheel 72 to retain the printing wheel 71 in proper printing position.

The circuit connections employed to operate the solenoids 1 and 40 are indicated in Fig. 5. In this figure the mechanism whose operation is being'recorded is represented by the shaft 77, which by means of the worm 78 and gear 79 rotates the shaft 80 so as to bring the contact segment 81 alternately into engagement with the brushes 82 and 83. The segment 81 is connected with a contact cylinder 84 upon which the brush 85 rests. When not in engagement with the contact segment 81 the brushes82 and 83 rest upon insulation as indicated.

The contact disks 10 and 11 are each provided with five teeth, as indicated, the teeth of one disk being staggered relatively to the teeth of the other, and upon these disks the spring contacts 86 and 87 are disposed, so that their contact points are substantially thirty-six degrees apart, as a result of which when one of such contacts rests upon a tooth of the insulating disk 11., the other of such contacts rests upon a tooth of the conducting disk 10. The conducting disk 10 is in electrical contact with a cylinder 88, upon which a spring contact 89 is disposed In order to control the recording operation a pair of contacts 90 and 91 are em ployed which may be 0 erated in any suitable manner, as manua ly, or if preferred by time-controlled mechanism, in which case I prefer to employ mechanism as shown in my oopending application, Serial No. 600,426, filed January 3, 1911, for which reason such mechanism is not here shown in detail.

The brush 83 is connected by wire 92 with contact 86. The brush 82 is, connected by wire 93 with contact 87. The brush 85 is connected by wire 94 with one terminal of the battery 95 and the wire 94 is connected by wire 96 with contact '91. The contact 90 is connected by wire 97 with one terminal of. the solenoid 40, the other terminal of which is connected by wire 98 with the other terminal of the battery 95. The Wire 98 is connected by wire 99 with one terminal of the solenoid 1, the other terminal of which is connected by wire 100 with the contact 89. As a result of the circuit connections described, it will be observed that as the shaft 80 is rotated around to the left when itcomes into engagement with the brush 83 a circuit is closed as follows: battery 95,

wire 94, brush 85, cylinder 84, contact seg- ,ment 81, brush 83, wire 92, contact 86, disk around to the left the contact segment 81 is brought into engagement with the brush 82, thus closing a circuit identical'with the above with the exception that instead of being closed from the contact segment 81 through the wire 92 to the disk 10, such circuit is now from the contact segment 81 to brush 82, wire 93, contact 87, to disk 10, which again energizes the solenoid land advances the shaft 9 a second step, thus bringing the disks 10 and 11 into the position relatively to the contacts 86 and 87 indicated in the drawing. From the description just given, it will appear that the closure of an energizing circuit of the solenoid 1 by means of the contact segment 81 serves to not only energize the solenoid and actuate the mechanism controlled thereby but also to break the operating circuit of the solenoid and thus prevent an undue current flow, the breaking operation being quick in its nature which prevents undue burning of the contact points. At the end of the interval during which integration of the operation of the mechanism 77 is desired, closure of the contacts 90 and 91 energizes the solenoid 40 over the following circuit: battery 95, wire 94, wire 96, contact 91, contact 90, wire 97, solenoid 40, wire 98, back to battery 95, thus in the manner above described printing a record upon the record strip 54 and returning the recording Wheels to their zero position, and at the same time advancing the recording wheel which indicates the number of the record so 'as to be ready for the next recording operation. Thus, Whether the contacts 90 and 91 are closed at the end of intervals arbitrarily determined or whether they are closed by time-controlled mechanism at the ends of regularly recurring intervals, the recording mechanism makes successive records of the operation of the mechanism to be measured, which records indicate in each case the ,net

amounts of operation of the mechanism for the corre onding intervals or, if desired,

the recor s may represent any quantities What I claim is:

1. In a recording meter, the combination of recording devices, means for advancing the devices during successive time intervals amounts proportional to meter operation to be recorded, means for automatically returning the recording devices to their initial position at the end of each interval, a number recording mechanism for making a record of the number of the recording operation, and means for making a record of the recording devices and the number recording mechanism at the end of each interval.

2. In a recording meter, the combination of recording devices, means for advancing the devices during successive time intervals amounts proportional to meter operation to be recorded, means for automatically returning the recording devices to their initial position at the end of each interval, a number recording mechanism for making a record of the number of the recording operation, means for making a record of the recording devices and the number recording mechanism at the end of each interval, and devices actuated by the recording operation for advancing the number recording mechanism.

3. In a printing meter, the combination of printing wheels, an electricity meter, devices for advancing the printing wheels step by step by and in accordance with the operation of said meter, a periodically operated mechanism for moving a record sheet against the printing wheels to make a record, the said mechanismby its operation serving to accomplish the rotation of the printing wheels to their initial position.

4. In a printing meter, the combination of printing wheels, a first electromagnetic mechanism for advancing the printing wheels, a first circuit for energizing such electromagnetic mechanism, devices for controlling such circuit actuated by meter operation to be recorded, a second electromag netic mechanism for making a record from the printing wheels, and means for returning the printing wheels to their initial position at each recording operation.

5. In a printing meter, the combination of printing wheels, a first electromagnetic mechanism for advancing the printing wheels, a first circuit for energizing such electromagnetic mechanism, devices for controlling such circuit actuated by me'ter operation to be recorded, a supply roll for a record strip, a receiving roll for such strip, a receiving roll for a manifoldingstrip, a second electromagnetic mechanism for making a record from the printing Wheels, and separate devices for advancing the record strip and the manifolding strip at different rates for each recording operation.

6. In a printing meter, the combination of printing wheels, a first electromagnetic mechanism for advancing the printing wheels, a first circuit for energizing such electromagnetic mechanism, devices for controlling such circuit actuated by meter operation to be recorded, a supply roll for a record strip, a receiving roll for such strip, a receiving roll for a manifolding strip, a second electromagnetic mechanism for making a record from the printing Wheels, and

8. In combination, printing wheels, an

electricity meter, devices actuated by the meter for advancing the printing wheels, a platen for making a record from the printing wheels, a spring for holding said platen in position away from the printing wheels, and gearing between the platen and the printing wheels for returning said wheels to their initial position by the operation ofthe spring in moving the platen to its retracted position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of February, A. D., 1911.

CHESTER I. HALL.

Witnesses:

H. S. LINES, C. C. LovEJoY. 

